Starr

Try watching the Real Housewives of Orange County on Bravo. . You'll see where the money goes in the OC,

Not freaking too bad Leigh, it's nothing not in my budget but they were cheaper last summer at this time . Reminds me of going to a trade show in New Orleans that someone brilliantly booked during Jazz Fest. To get back on topic when do you think the Royal will put out casting? Opening night for Sleeping Beauty should be one of the big names(fingers crossed for Alina).

About throwing up at hotel prices in the DC area. . About ready to chuck this idea and just go to NYC and see Diana V. , but it's the Royal ! Chauffer, thanks for the info on the Metro that sounds good.

What's the best way to get to KC from your hotel? Taxi or do you rent a car? I would appreciate your advice Leigh.

Chauffeur, you were at the Sunday matinee in Cleveland? So was I. The Carreno crowd went nuts when he was announced as Ali for the performance(wasn't cast on Sunday). Did they have the pirate in the selling kiddy pirate stuff in the lobby?

Geez, I know Ethan has had problems in the past with his knees, didn't know he has new ones. Will hope for the best!

Wow! That's a suprise.

You have schooled me well in my "expectations" of the Kirov-Mariinsky. I went to see them in Detroit, casting had Diana V. as the lead in Sleeping Beauty, well that was wrong, but because of reading all the posts here I knew it was not unexpected, so I went and really enjoyed the performance. You don't get to see that caliber of dance in the Midwest that often.

I might have to make a trip or two this June. I would love to see Alina or Tamara and the new/old Beauty.

Thanks for the reports from St. Petersburg, they were wonderful again this year.

Bought my tickets yesterday for the Sunday matinee. I would really like to see Irina & Max but Sunday works better for me.

Thank you for the heads up Dale!

Thanks drb, Choices, choices

I have seen this version twice, and have often wondered about the casting. Thanks for clearing that up.

With trying to catch Roberto Bolle in the Olympics and the start of Speedweeks at Daytona, I totally forgot about the results show. Thanks again for the update.

I know Antoinette is a mother, I remember reading somewhere how Anthony Dowell talked her back on stage.

Saks did a multi page ad sometime this last year with dancers from ABT(corps members, I think) If you want to see pictures of Irina & Max, checkout W after the ABT galas. Suzy always mentions them in her column, with who Irina is wearing and a nice picture.

That's a nice one. I read the London reviews of the RB frequently, and some of the critics get rather nasty. I remember La Bayadere being danced early in the season and someone making a remark that Tamara Rojo should have been in a more "concealing" costume, (ie hadn't really gotten into shape yet). I also thought Darcy got raked over the coals for Sylvia early this year.

I think she would be a good Princess Florine. Other than Beauty and R&J(tried to get tickets to see Sylvie, no luck). I can't remember the rest of the RB's season.

Thanks, for your comments Alymer. I do wonder what she will do during the rest of the RB's season, as the casting seems to be set for a good number of performances. My husband spotted her at the Kennedy Center Honors show and was quite taken with Alexandra and he's not a big fan of ballet yet.

Did anyone see her debut with the RB on the 4th? Would love to hear about it.

Tia is mostly known from the movies(True Lies, Wayne's World). Lisa Rinna was on Days of Our Lives for years(Grandmother loved that show). I think we all know the power of soap opera fans, ie Kelly Monaco from last year. If she had a career like Tia or even Tatum, she wouldn't have made it past the 2nd round.

I really enjoy your reviews of the show. Thanks! I believe Barry Manilow has a new album coming out, so he's all over, will be on Martha Stewart's show on Monday. Some of my 3rd grader's classmates watch and vote. Big surprise they like Drew and Stacy.

A speedy recovery for Jonathon Cope. I think I read somewhere that he was planning on coaching for the RB after his retirement.

I didn't bother to watch since I figured anything on HGTV would involve more crafty, cooking stuff then actual dancing.